

Photo credit: Eastside Bagel


Photo credit: Eastside Bagel
By Mark A. Leon
Words can heal
They have the power to rise up and overcome the darkness of times
Conquering moments, treading storms, lifting us up to the clouds and giving wings to fly
A beacon of light
Will these words stop the rain and bring sunlight to these worn faces?
The storms; the shadowy clouds; the vicious lightning striking us to our knees?
Not alone
Not without the power of the minds
The profound truth found in the earliest scriptures
It is written to love thy neighbor and do good to others
We are but an unfinished mold formed in the shape of the artist, but self-directed with intellect to continue to smooth out the edges
An artist’s model far from a masterpiece
This is where we must look within and break out
Destroy the outer layer and continue from within
The clay is worn from centuries of decay
Dark and distorted
It is but a glimmering memory of the vision of perfection
We have the power to reshape in the eye of our maker and bring pride
Mold with these hands
Hands that hug
Direct with these words
Words of invitation and acceptance
Dry with the heat of a billion hearts
We can
We will
We must heal this sculpture
Photo Credit: Mark A. Leon
The Aku Venue Grand Opening
We’re pleased to invite you into Moncks Corner’s newest and freshest event space in town! Stop in to witness us opening the doors!
There always seems to be a shortage of options when looking for a space to host your special event. This is what inspired The Aku Venue (aka T.A.V.) to be birthed to life. We’re so excited to provide our community with exceptional service in an elegantly designed & clean atmosphere.
You may also like the following events from The Aku Venue:
Tickets for The Aku Venue Grand Opening can be booked here.
Brewing In The South: America’s Next Big Beer Brand
Island Brands USA raises nearly one million dollars in one month!
Charleston, SC (January 5, 2020) – Island Brands USA, producers of clean, better for you, super premium beer, set at a competitive price point to fill the gap between factory beer corporations and craft breweries, announced today nearly a million dollars in new funding – raised in just one month – on StartEngine, the crowdfunding platform backed by renowned businessman and SharkTank investor, Kevin O’Leary.
The fast-moving campaign (link: https://www.startengine.com/island-brands-usa) offers 7 unique tiers of investment ranging from $250 (Tier 1) to $50,000 (Tier 7). In exchange, investors can gain brand equity, exclusive brand merchandise, and a range of outrageous perks – from creating the next Island Brands beer, to a private seaplane fishing excursion in the Bahamas, and even an oyster bed built in your name. So far, the campaign has attracted over 969 investors and raised over $994,425.
“About 85% of US beer drinkers consume mass-market lagers from multinational corporate beer factories. These beers contain corner-cutting fillers, GMOs, preservatives and other unwelcome ingredients. The remaining 15% of beer drinkers consume what’s commonly known as craft beers – often times heavier beers, and with a higher alcohol content,” explained Brandon Perry, Co-CEO and CMO at Island Brands USA. “We’re convinced there’s another path: a mass-market lager made with only four fresh ingredients (malt, hops, yeast, water), containing zero fillers, but yet still delivering that easy-drinking experience most beer drinkers crave.”

Island Brands’ two flagship beers, Island Coastal Lager and Island Active (containing just 88 calories and 2.6 carbs) deliver on the founder’s vision and in the next 6 months, the brand will introduce two additional varieties: Island Lemonada and Island Southern Peach – just in time for Summer.
“We’re taking on the heavyweights of the beer world in true ‘David vs Goliath’ fashion,” said Scott Hansen, Co-CEO and CRO at Island Brands USA. “Three years ago, we launched with one beer. People in the industry thought we were crazy. But here we are today, in 7 states and 3 countries, with over 6,000 points of distribution. We’re in Publix, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, you name it. Our brand has shown the highest growth in the Southeast’s largest grocer and the second highest YOY growth for beer brands in the Southeast. We struck a deal with Carnival, the world’s largest Cruise company, and we’ve developed a massive, passionate, and growing following on social media. This crowdfunding campaign is an opportunity for people to get on board a rocket ship, or maybe in our case – a speed boat.”
About Island Brands USA
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Island Brands USA is a rapidly expanding domestic super premium lifestyle beer brand, first conceived when the founders took a trip to Cuba in 2016. The following year, the recipe for brand’s first beer, Island Coastal Lager, was developed, brewed, and launched into the marketplace. In 2020, Island Brands launched its second beer, Island Active, a refreshing low-carb alternative to the limited choices available in the market. Island Brands USA is active in coastal conservation efforts through various partnerships and charities. For more, visit: www.islandbrandsusa.com.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – After recent temporary closures due to COVID-19, three Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) branches are temporarily suspending in-person services and returning to curbside operations only. The Main Library (68 Calhoun St.), Mt. Pleasant Regional (1133 Mathis Ferry Rd.), and Wando Mount Pleasant Library (1400 Carolina Park Blvd.) will close for in-person services beginning Monday, Jan. 4.
“With the recent rise in COVID-19 numbers in the County and State, and a number of recent COVID-related closures at these three branches specifically, we felt that it was in the best interest of the safety of our staff and patrons to return these branches to curbside operations,” said CCPL Executive Director Angela Craig. “Curbside service allows us to continue to serve the community in a safe and thoughtful manner. As we have done throughout this entire process, we will continue to work with DHEC and monitor CDC guidelines and recommendations to determine how best to proceed.”
At the Main, Mt. Pleasant and Wando Mount Pleasant branches, curbside service is available during the following days and hours:
Curbside services are also available at the Edisto, Folly, Village and McClellanville branches (hours vary, please contact the branch or visit ccpl.org for details). All other branches remain open to the public for limited in-person operations.
For more information, or to schedule a curbside pickup, visit ccpl.or/curbside anytime or call the branch during the operating hours listed above.
By Mark A. Leon
I just want to be there ’til the end
I want to hold you and never let go again
My best friend
My best friend
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
Each day I remember what you said
On that night I never felt alone again
Excuse me, but I need to know your name
I’m afraid I have fallen for you and I don’t know how this ends
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
The day I said I do and made love to you
The stars ignited light up in the sky
We danced on clouds until the morning light
And laughed and kissed away the fright
You looked and me and said it once again
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
I promised to grow old and hold you tight
To never stop being your guiding light
I said each day an angel I will be
Protecting and being that beacon out at sea
When the news came that dimmed the light
I heard the voice that regained my sight
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
You held my hand in those final days
Held back the tears and said it will be okay
You laugh away my silent cry
And we knew this was not goodbye
As I lay beside your head
Feeling your breath warm my head
I heard the whisper one more time
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
Tomorrow the sun will rise in the sky
Shining light through the window
Warming you tight
I will not be by your side
But, above high in the sky
Listen closely and you will hear
The soft and familiar phrase we said so many times so clear
“Remember, P.S. I love you all over again”
By Mark A. Leon
The soul is a disruption of the heart
It intensifies the emotional roller coaster leading us to the edge of insanity
There is hope to bring peace
A calming storm of the heart
A blissful song for the ages
We have touched the eye of the storm and felt its power penetrate
That is the essence of the soul
A chamber of meaning wrestling with a puzzle
A million pieces
Where to begin to see the final work of art
We live a life to unleash it, but rarely ever live it
An eternal home it seeks
A lifetime in search of a definition
Close your eyes
Clear the mechanism
Reset
Again
Reset
Do you hear the silence; the clarity?
It’s powerfully serene
Find the peace inside to begin again
A journey; rebirth; an adventure of the senses
Rewrite the song and let your voice be heard
An audience of one
Too small to be big
Expand the lungs and let the masses in
Sing louder
Find the core of that soul and let the song out for the world to hear
Louder
Don’t hold back
It is your song
Your time
Your legacy
The words of your soul will free you to live again
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (December 30, 2020) – On Monday, January 4, 2021, work will begin on the Ben Sawyer Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Water Main Connection Project. Authorized crews will work in the project area Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., weather permitting. The anticipated completion timeframe for the project is Summer 2021.
Residents, businesses, and the traveling public can expect the following traffic control activities to begin on January 4, 2021. All dates and activities are weather dependent.
January 4 – 19, 2021
CHARLESTON, S.C. (December 31, 2020) – Tempest, the newest restaurant concept from the 5th Street Group, has been recognized as the No. 1 “Best New Restaurant” in the country by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2020. The top 20 nominees were chosen by a panel of experts, including a combination of editors from USA Today, and the top 10 winners were determined over the course of four weeks by popular vote.
Known for its sustainable, hyper-local South Atlantic seafood and stunning interiors, Tempest opened in August 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina’s historic Market Street district. Co-owners Patrick Whalen, Alejandro Torio and Top Chef alumnus Jamie Lynch have created an environment that is equal parts immersive, inspiring and satisfying.
“The 5th Street Group is both honored and extremely humbled by this recognition. It was our hope when we built this restaurant to create something special that people in all walks of life could enjoy, we are very thankful that it appears we have been successful so far,” says Chef Jamie Lynch.

USA Today 10Best provides readers with original, unbiased and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to do, restaurants and hotels for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. For the complete list of award winners, please visit https://www.10best.com/.
For more information on Tempest or to book a reservation, visit www.TempestCharleston.com.
Tempest
Housed in the former Harriott Pinckney Home for Sailors in Charleston’s Market Street district, Tempest pays homage to the location’s rich history, offering guests local and sustainable seafood cooked over charcoal. Tempest is located at 32C N. Market Street, next door to 5Church Charleston. For more information, please visit www.TempestCharleston.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

By Mark A. Leon
2020 is officially behind us, but we have a long journey ahead of us as we embark on 2021.As we look at our metaphoric re-birth, we wanted to share 7 universal lessons for happiness, fulfillment, and balance. Yet, no lesson would be complete without the proper song to compliment the words.
7 Lessons for 2021
New Years Rule #7 – Live each day with a few moments of self-reflection and self-discovery
New Years Rule #6 – Remember those that protected you in your darkest hour
NewYears Rule #5 – Never forget your past, but always live for the present and strive for an amazing tomorrow
New Years Rule #4 – Remember all the love you have shared
New Years Rule #3 – Remember to enjoy and embrace the journey and not obsess about the destination
New Years Rule #2 – Never forget those we lost – Keep them in your heart
New Years Rules #1 – Love one another unconditionally, live each day with hope and never ever stop dreaming
Happy New Year Charleston